The playoff hopes for the Los Angeles Angels are gone at this point.
After starting off with the second-best record in the American League, the team collapsed, fired their manager, and never found their groove again.
Once again, another special season from Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani has gone to waste.
Today, the Halos are in Arlington wrapping up a series with the Texas Rangers.
Angels insider Jeff Fletcher tweeted a photo of the team’s lineup, which is missing one notable name, that being Ohtani.
Ohtani is pitching tomorrow night as the Angels open up a weekend series with the Minnesota Twins.
#Angels lineup. Ohtani is off, as scheduled. He’s pitching tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/xtN8djGFMm
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) September 22, 2022
Angels Give Ohtani Some Rest
At this point, there’s nothing left for the Angels to play for.
They’re 65-84 on the season and in a very distant third place in the AL West.
They’ve also secured their seventh consecutive losing season.
So at this point, Ohtani could probably use some rest.
The reigning MVP has essentially been left to carry this team with Trout and not much of a supporting cast behind them.
There’s no point in over-extending him at this point, so it’s smart to give him a little breather, especially when he’s pitching tomorrow.
He’ll have a chance to help the Halos play a little spoiler on the Twins, who have watched their playoff promise slip away.
That’s really all the Angels have going for them at this point in the season.
2022 is lost at this point.
Ohtani may be putting up some MVP numbers, but it’s looking like Aaron Judge will take the MVP this year.
All the Halos can do now is play out this remaining stretch of games.
They can afford to rest guys like Trout and Ohtani now.
NEXT: 2 Angels Stars Share An Unfortunate Feat